WINGS Helps Survivor Pursue her Career Dreams

Shannon*, a domestic violence survivor, began counseling services through WINGS Hospital Program. As a result of designated funding, WINGS is now helping Shannon pursue her career dreams of becoming a paralegal. As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, read how counseling has assisted Shannon take steps toward her bright future.

Research shows that nearly all domestic violence survivors suffer from some form of financial abuse. WINGS is grateful for this designated grant to assist survivors work toward financial stability and achieve their goals.

Shannon shares in her own words:

Counseling

“First and foremost, I would like to express my immense appreciation for the WINGS Program, and more specifically my counselor. From my initial intake to our most intimate conversations, she has always been understanding, supportive and patient, despite my initial skepticism in engaging in services.

My decision to engage was initiated after a series of intensely traumatic events which left me feeling broken. Despite always being an optimistic person, I was feeling hopeless.

My counselor has not only assisted me in processing my trauma, which has helped me to clarify how past ideals affected present decisions. She also does an amazing job at validating my thoughts and actions to help me resolve discrepancies in my thinking. This emboldens me to take steps to live the life that I have always wanted, despite my experiences.”

A Driven, Ambitious, Confident Woman…

“In the last week, especially, I have felt more like myself: a driven, ambitious, confident woman. Someone who sets goals and works hard to achieve them.

I have now begun taking care of myself once again. For me, taking care of myself includes (but is not limited to) an endless journey to attain knowledge. I have always had extremely ambitious career goals, which unfortunately have been stifled through my DV experience.

As someone who holds a B.S. in Psychology, I always aspired to get my PhD. Helping others has been a passion of mine throughout my life. Although obtaining my Doctorate is still a goal, I have realized that there are other areas of public service in which my diverse set of skills will be useful to my community.”

A New Goal

“I could not be more excited to switch educational gears a bit,as my new goal is to educate myself in the field of law. I would love the opportunity to study all areas of law through a Paralegal Studies Certificate Program. Curriculum spans from family law to areas like environmental law and even intellectual property. I’m interested in topics such as research, ethics, and litigation.

The ability to gain this knowledge through classroom instruction, will not only reinforce the employment I seek, but will also help me in studying for the LSAT to achieve my long-term goal of attaining a Juris Doctoral degree and serving our community as a judge in the future.

With the scholarship from WINGS, I will be able to cover the remainder of the costs through employment.”

Thank You

“Once again, I cannot thank the WINGS team enough for empowering me to pursue my dreams! I hope that all of your lives, in turn, are enriched through the work that you are doing for those in need.”

Help Survivors Like Shannon

WINGS is able to provide counseling and resources through support from our community.

Your support is needed now!

WINGS Community Based Services are expanding:

• WINGS Hospital Program is involved in a brand new, exciting collaboration to provide a full array of services to survivors who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injuries.
• Additionally, WINGS counseling programs have expanded to serve children, teens and more adults with the opening of the agency’s Foglia Family Resource Center.

We hope you will be inspired to find a way you can support survivors, like Shannon, create big dreams and take steps towards them.

Click here to see all the ways you can make a difference.

If you are a survivor in need of services:

If you are in an abusive relationship, WINGS can help.

WINGS holistic approach ranges from emergency Safe Houses, Transitional Housing, Community-Based Services including mentorship, hospital partnerships, and comprehensive children’s services. Click here to learn more.

Domestic Violence 24-Hr Hotline: 847.221.5680

To learn more about Counseling and/or Mentoring, call WINGS Intake Line: (847) 519-7828. The Intake Line is answered by trained crisis workers. Please leave a message and a worker will return your call within 24-48 hours.

*WINGS uses representative names and photos to protect the dignity and security of those we serve.